Chat with Baseball America's Jim Callis

Welcome to SportsNation! On Wednesday, Baseball America's Jim Callis will chat it up with SportsNation. Ask any question and he will try to answer - big leaguers, prospects, draft picks ... anything goes!

Jim Callis

(2:01 PM)

Happy Thanksgiving Eve, everyone. As usual this time of year, I'm working on the Prospect Handbook. Right now, I'm taking a break from some Dodgers editing to answer you questions. Have at it!

rayg (burlington, NJ)

Jim-thanks for the chat. Dee Gordon-will he be able to hit enough to make it to LA in the next 2-3 years? Do you see him moving up to Inland Empire or Chattanooga in 2010?

Jim Callis

(2:02 PM)

I do think he'll hit enough. He has hit .331 and .301 in two pro seasons despite his inexperience, and his speed should keep him out of slumps. I think he'll continue the more he plays. The plan is for him to start 2010 in high Class A, but I could see him in Double-A by the end of the year.

Eric (Green Bay, WI)

Jim, did Gamel slip in the eyes of scouts this year or did Lawrie just show enough to move up? What do you think the Brewers will do with Gamel?

Jim Callis

(2:04 PM)

A little of each. I think Lawrie can be every bit the hitter that we thought Gamel would be, if not more, and while Lawrie won't be a Gold Glover, he's a better defender. I think the Brewers would move Gamel in the right deal. He can't play third base, and they think Casey McGehee may be the answer there anyway.

Mike (Utica, NY)

Would you deal Montero in a package that is lead with Chamberlain or Hughes for Roy Halladay, or would you find someone else to put in the deal besides Montero?

Jim Callis

(2:06 PM)

If I'm the Yankees, I'd try to hold onto Montero. But if I don't think he can catch (and I personally don't) and I have Mark Teixeira to play first base for several years and several older players who are going to need time at DH, I'd give up Montero if that meant getting Halladay. We don't know if Montero can play left field, but that's the only other possible opening and he's no lock to be able to handle that.

sean (orlando)

If Damon and Matsui end up overpricing themselves to the point that the Yankees decide to let both walk away, are Austin Jackson and Montero ready enough to take both their places at this point? I would think that the rest of the lineup is strong enough that the team could handle some early growing pains.

Jim Callis

(2:07 PM)

I think the Yankees could get by with that, or upgrade their defense by putting Gardner in center field and Cabrera in left field. But the Yankees are in win-now mode, as always, and I don't think they're going to plan to just hand over LF to Jackson, who didn't hit for power this year, or Montero, who has never played LF. They have the money to sign Holliday or Bay or Figgins (and make him a LF) if they want.

Craig (Norwich, CT)

What is the future for Red Sox minor league catcher Ryan Lavarnway? MLB.com named his the Red Sox Minor League Hitter of the Year, and I don't his is a name that is well known among fans. Thanks.

Jim Callis

(2:09 PM)

He has some power but he's not going to stick behind the plate. He also was 21 in low Class A, so he still has a lot to prove with the bat. He's not a big-time prospect, more of a guy to keep an eye on.

Scott (Ontario)

It seems like Kelly is a potential hold up in Halladay going to the Red Sox. Why would either side balk at a 20 year old in A ball with only 2 pitches. He plays so much SS we don't even know if he can endure 100 innings let alone 200. With Halladay you are getting an annual 220 inning guy

Jim Callis

(2:11 PM)

Kelly is a three-pitch guy with tremendous feel for his age, so don't undersell him. But you are correct in saying that he's as unproven as Halladay is proven. I think the issue for any club is do you give up a lot of talented young players whom you can cost control for several years AND have to pay Halladay a ton of money in an extension to hold onto him. I don't think the Jays will get as much back for him as you might suspect. They should do better than the Twins did for Santana, but not a ton better.

John (Los Angeles)

Who is a better prospect and why: Ethan Martin or Chris Withrow?

Jim Callis

(2:11 PM)

It's pretty close, but I'd go with Withrow because he's more polished at this point and has proven himself at higher levels.

Andrew (Pittsburgh, PA)

Can the Pirates expect anything from Jeff Clement?

Jim Callis

(2:16 PM)

There's some legitimate power in there, but he strikes out too much. Maybe his bat will take off if he doesn't have to worry about catching.

Jay (Melville)

When will Smoak, Heyward and Alvarez arrive in the majors?

Jim Callis

(2:16 PM)

At various points during 2010.

James (North East, MD)

Please settle an argument that some O's fans are having. There are those who believe that McPhail will never land a premium free agent because he is unwilling to spend the amount of money it will take. They cite his offer to Tex last winter for $140 million (lowest among all the offers) as an example. Do you agree or disagree?

Jim Callis

(2:17 PM)

I don't think money is the big issue there. The bigger problem is that the Orioles aren't close to contending in the rugged AL East, and premium free agents are going to go somewhere if they don't think they can win.

brian (pasadena)

Jim Callis

(2:18 PM)

Yes, yes he is. Unknown when the Dodgers took him in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of a North Carolina HS, he has an effortless 94-mph fastball and promising secondary pitches.

Jose (Long Beach,ca)

How is the dodger farm system right now. It seems that its young but they have solid players in Withrow, Martin, Miller, Gordon and Webster. When will McCheap start looking at international players since the dodgers where the pioneers

Jim Callis

(2:21 PM)

The Dodgers have graduated a lot of talent to the majors this decade, and they're currently replenishing the system. It's stronger at the lower levels than the upper levels, but those guys you mentioned and some others are promising. LA thinks the international market is less efficient than the draft, and it has focused on the draft rather than big-money foreign signings. They generally don't go over slot and get good bang for their buck, but it's also a disadvantage when most teams are outspending you on the draft and internationally.

Ben (Charlotte)

Do you see any way Taillon, Cole or Harper could fall out the top 10 next year?

Jim Callis

(2:22 PM)

Sure, if they get hurt or put out a huge price tag. Look at Tyler Matzek this year. He was considered the No. 2 prospect in the draft by some clubs and lasted until No. 11.

scott (rvccrbl md)

Hi Jim, please ranks these pitchers for the future... Buchholz, Porcello, Matusz and Bret Anderson....I can never get anyone to answer this question for me. Thanks.

Jim Callis

(2:23 PM)

It's a tough one. I like all four of those guys and any team would gladly take the No. 4 guy on the list. I'd go Anderson, Matusz, Porcello, Buchholz, giving the edge to the lefthanders.

Kevin (San Diego)

James Darnell or Logan Forsythe and why?

Jim Callis

(2:24 PM)

Darnell. More impact with the bat. But if you wanted to argue Forsythe because you think he's more versatile defensively and will continue to grow offensively, that would be defensible.

sean (seattle)

Hi Jim,Lars Andersson '10 is more like Lars 08' or Lars 09'?

Jim Callis

(2:25 PM)

I think he'll bounce back in 2010. He had a disappointing year after expectations were so high, but he also was 21 and in Double-A. He's still well ahead of where most guys his age should be.

Andrew Watt (Newport Beach, CA)

What level will Tyler Matzek start at?

Jim Callis

(2:27 PM)

Probably low Class A Asheville.

Larry (Austin,TX)

What is your outlook for Padres outfielder Everett Williams?

Jim Callis

(2:28 PM)

I think he'll hit. One of my favorite players from the 2009 draft and a steal in the second round.

Jim Callis

(2:29 PM)

scott a (southboro ma)

Jim Callis

(2:30 PM)

It still lacks much depth. They have three very interesting prospects in Jason Castro, Jio Mier and Jordan Lyles, but the dropoff after that is huge.

Gary (Oakland)

I know scouts are split on Grant Desme, what is his ceiling? Isn't he the classic "come out of nowhere" guy? Good talent, but injury-prone early on in his career.

Jim Callis

(2:33 PM)

Definitely not a come out of nowhere guy. He was a second-round pick in 2007 and might have been a first-rounder if he hadn't gotten hurt. He has been injured a lot before 2009, but he can be a solid regular. He strikes out a lot, so I'm hesitant to label him a star, but he has real power and good athleticism.

Brian (Austin, TX)

How far is Scheppers from the majors? 2011?

Jim Callis

(2:33 PM)

If he stays healthy and throws like he did in the AFL, he'll be in Texas at some point next year.

jason (richmond va)

please rank these pitchers bergenson, matuz, tillman, arrieta

Jim Callis

(2:33 PM)

Matusz, Tillman, Arrieta, Bergesen.

Chris (Secaucus, NJ)

2 of the 3 Mets 1st round picks in 2008, Ike Davis and Brad Holt, have received quite a bit of attention. But what do you think of Reese Havens and is he a legit prospect?

Jim Callis

(2:34 PM)

I like Havens more than most people do and believe he'll make a nifty offensive second baseman.

Rob (Alaska)

What's your take on Logan Morrison's power ceiling? This seems to be one of those issues that nobody can agree on.

Jim Callis

(2:35 PM)

He has a lot of power and can become a 30-homer guy once he gets established.

Otis (Mt Airy, NC)

In his blog Buster compared the HOF credentials of Edgar Martinez to those of Don Mattingly. While I'm not sure either should be in, isn't that a slap at the value of Mattingly's glove? If the Hall welcomed the best defenders at their positions in the decade, Mattinly would get in.

Jim Callis

(2:36 PM)

I'd submit that putting a first baseman in the Hall of Fame for his glove would be a travesty. Buster's point, and I agree, is that both were very good hitters whose body of work falls short of the Hall.

Kevin (NYC)

Hi Jim- Love the chats. You stated that the Jays shouldn't do much better on a Roy trade than the Twins did with Johan. Unless I'm mistaken, the Twins received a plus defender in Gomez who had "upside" and a bunch of, at best, lower end rotation guys. I know Gomez is still young, but he still can't hit. Why would you expect the Jays to do only marginally better moving Roy? I know the $ for an extension limits the trade partners, but Roy is, well, Roy. Thx!

Jim Callis

(2:38 PM)

Santana was, well, Santana. Halladay is a year from free agency, just like Santana, and he's not going to re-sign with his current club, just like Santana. As good as Halladay is, the Jays don't have a lot of leverage. There aren't many clubs who can afford Halladay and will be willing to give up a huge haul of prospects for him.

Matt (Philly)

Is Anthony Hewitt a bust?

Jim Callis

(2:39 PM)

It's a little premature to write him off totally, but I've never seen anything that would lead me to believe that Hewitt will hit big league pitching.

Brian (Brooklyn NY)

Will BA be doing a rule five draft preview this year? As a Met fan I think they might be able to snag a useful arm or bat with their first pick

Jim Callis

(2:46 PM)

We're working on one for the current issue and will update Rule 5 candidates online as it gets closer to the Dec. 10 draft date.

Kyle Skipworth (Greensboro Grasshoppers)

Am I a bust? Will I ever hit?

Jim Callis

(2:47 PM)

I wouldn't label a 2008 first-rounder a bust at the end of 2009. But for a guy who was supposed to really hit, seeing him bat .208/.263/.345 in two pro seasons is shocking. At this point, I'll believe he's going to hit when I see it.

Jonathan (Chicago)

What are your thoughts on Brent Morel? Is he the real deal with Ventura type qualities?

Jim Callis

(2:49 PM)

He's one of the best prospects and perhaps the most underrated one in the White Sox system. Wouldn't hang a Ventura tag on him yet, but he has that type of potential.

Jonathan (Chicago)

Jared Mitchell, is he closer to Carl Crawford or Brett Gardner?

Jim Callis

(2:49 PM)

Carl Crawford, easily.

Jim Callis

(2:49 PM)

Let's see how many questions we can squeeze into 10 minutes of lightning-round action . . .

Chris (San Fran)

What's Madison Bumgarner's ceiling? Is he a back-end of the rotation guy, middle of the rotation, or maybe a #2 starter?

Jim Callis

(2:50 PM)

No. 2 for me.

Kevin (Livingston, NJ)

What is Brandon Morrow's upside a #2 starter or a power closer/reliever and what do you expect him to actually be?

Jim Callis

(2:50 PM)

Reliever.

Todd (Boston)

Jim, you were the Blue Jays and got the offer of Buchholz, and the choice of Masterson, Bowden, or Anderson, plus some other prospects. You decide to pull the trigger with the trade, which of the three would you ask for to be part of the deal?

Jim Callis

(2:50 PM)

Lars Anderson.

Dan (Atlantic City)

Speaking of Anthony Hewitt ... which of these Phillies prospects has the best chance to take a big step forward in 2010 and become a blue chip prospect: Domingo Santana, Travis d'Arnaud, Trevor May, Colby Shreve, Anthony Gose or Hewitt?

Jim Callis

(2:57 PM)

Greg (St Louis)

Jim Callis

(2:58 PM)

fred (jersey)

Jim Callis

(2:58 PM)

rayg (burlington, nj)

Lindblom or Webster?

Jim Callis

(2:58 PM)

Lindblom.

Oden (Motown)

Jim--We are thankful for your chats! Have a great Thanksgiving! Too bad we won't see Stafford or Megatron tomorrow..

Jim Callis

(2:59 PM)

Thank you guys for all your good questions. Is it too much to ask for two competitive football games tomorrow? And to ask for a big day for Tony Romo (and Greg Jennings, Steve Smith and Mason Crosby) to help my fantasy team?

Cheese (San Mateo)

Best Giants prospect not named Posey or Bumgarner?

Jim Callis

(3:00 PM)

Zack Wheeler.

Nate (MD)

Brandon Waring or Snyder?

Jim Callis

(3:01 PM)

Snyder.

Ryan (Phoenix)

Jim what's the ceiling on A.J. Pollock?

Jim Callis

(3:02 PM)

Very solid regular who will hit for a high average and do a little of everything else. Not a huge star but the type who could make a couple of all-star teams during his career.

jon (chicago)

krispey kreme or dunkin donuts

Jim Callis

(3:03 PM)

Krispy Kreme, if you can get them hot off the assembly line.

connor (ma)

what's better turkey or the dessert

Jim Callis

(3:04 PM)

I'm going to declare that one a tie, and end this by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!